Disposable gloves and glove material compositions

Abstract

A glove and glove construction material comprising two or more ethylene-based polymers which comprise (i) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) and (ii) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof, plus optional additives.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disposable glove comprising:
 a glove construction material in the shape of a glove and adapted for receiving thumb, fingers and a hand therein, and constructed from two films of thermoplastic material, each film comprising a blend of thermoplastic material comprising two or more ethylene-based polymers comprising: 
 (i) a first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), and 
 (ii) at least one ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations thereof; 
 wherein the thermoplastic material is characterized by tensile strength at yield (MD) of no more than 14 MPa (2000 psi), tensile strength at yield (TD) of no more than 14 MPa (2000 psi), tensile elongation at break (MD) of at least 500%, and tensile elongation at break (TD) of at least 700%; and 
 the thermoplastic material has a tear strength (MD) of at least 1.6 g/μm and a seal temperature of less than 100° C. 
 
     
     
       2. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) and the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). 
     
     
       3. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material consists essentially of between 30 weight % and 70 weight % of the first m-LLDPE and between 30 weight % and 70 weight % of the EVA copolymer, and additional components selected from the group consisting of anti-block additives, slip additives, UV inhibitors, colorants, fillers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) and the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). 
     
     
       5. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material consists essentially of between 35 weight % and 65 weight % of the m-LLDPE and between 15 weight % and 45 weight % of the LLDPE, and additional components selected from the group consisting of anti-block additives, slip additives, UV inhibitors, colorants, fillers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The glove of  claim 5  wherein the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) has tensile elongation (MD) at break of at least 400% and tensile elongation (TD) at break of at least 400%. 
     
     
       7. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) and the second metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE). 
     
     
       8. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material consists essentially of between 30 weight % and 55 weight % of the first m-LLDPE and between 30 weight % and 55 weight % of the second m-LLDPE, and additional components selected from the group consisting of anti-block additives, slip additives, UV inhibitors, colorants, fillers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), and the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). 
     
     
       10. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material consists essentially of between 30 weight % and 50 weight % of the EVA copolymer, between 10 weight % and 30 weight % of the LLDPE, between 30 weight % and 50 weight % of the m-LLDPE, and additional components selected from the group consisting of anti-block additives, slip additives, UV inhibitors, colorants, fillers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. The glove of  claim 10  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile strength at yield (TD) of between 4.2 MPa (610 psi) and 13.8 MPa (2000 psi). 
     
     
       12. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) has a density no greater than 0.9 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
       13. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) has a density no greater than 0.9 g/cm 3 , a tensile strength at yield (MD) of no more than 14 MPa (2000 psi) and a tensile strength at yield (TD) of no more than 14 MPa (2000 psi). 
     
     
       14. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the first metallocene-linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) has tensile elongation (MD) at break of at least 400% and tensile elongation (TD) at break of at least 400%. 
     
     
       15. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material has a thickness of at least 12 micrometers (at least 0.5 mil). 
     
     
       16. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile strength at yield (MD) of no more than 10 MPa (1450 psi). 
     
     
       17. The glove of  claim 16  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile strength at yield (TD) of no more than 10 MPa (1450 psi). 
     
     
       18. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile strength at yield (MD) of between 4.2 MPa (610 psi) and 13.8 MPa (2000 psi). 
     
     
       19. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile strength at yield (TD) of between 4.2 MPa (610 psi) and 13.8 MPa (2000 psi). 
     
     
       20. The glove of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material has a tensile elongation at break (MD) of at least 700%.